SAN DIEGO — Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., announced Feb. 18 the appointment of three new leaders to its executive team.

Sabrina Simmons, former chief financial officer at Gap, has been named chief financial officer and has already started her new role. Michael Romanko, former chief merchandising and marketing officer at Five Below, has been named chief customer and product officer, effective Feb. 24. Also effective Feb. 24, Jack Stout, former executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at 7-Eleven, has been named chief merchandising officer. 

“Today’s appointments represent a significant evolution of Petco’s leadership team that brings robust retail expertise to help accelerate initiatives we’re undertaking to strengthen our retail fundamentals, drive profit improvement and return us to growth,” said Joel Anderson, chief executive officer of Petco. “Sabrina, Michael and Jack are seasoned leaders with proven track records, who will further help us unlock value for our customers, partners and shareholders.” 

Simmons has more than 20 years of executive-level financial experience and served as a member of Petco's Board of Directors and Audit Chair since 2021. According to Petco, she will have an immediate impact on the company’s financial strategy, long-term business planning and investor relations initiatives. In conjunction with taking on the new role, Simmons has voluntarily resigned from her role as a member of Petco’s Board of Directors.

“I am honored to join Petco as chief financial officer and look forward to working closely with Joel and the broader leadership team in creating long-term value for our shareholders,” Simmons said. “I believe deeply in the company’s mission to improve the lives of pets and pet parents and see significant opportunity to strengthen our leadership position in the category.”

Brian LaRose, former chief financial officer for Petco, is expected to remain with the company in an advisory role until April 30 to ensure a smooth transition. 

“I would like to thank Brian for all he has done for the Petco business and our partners over his more than four years with the company,” Anderson added. 

Michael Romanko, chief customer and product officer at Petco Health and Wellness Company.

| Provided by Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.

Romanko is an experienced retail executive with more than 30 years in the industry and a track record for product development, branding, sourcing and value creation. He has held executive-level roles for leading consumer brands, including serving as chief design officer for Patriarch Partners, where he was responsible for merchandise line building and sourcing and design for 75 businesses. In his new role, Romanko will oversee marketing, customer insights, product development, global sourcing and owned brands.

“Petco has long been an industry leader known for making a difference in its customers’ lives,” Romanko said. “I am excited about what this new role unlocks to elevate the Petco brand, including the opportunity to source new, unique and trendy products while delivering a completely new experience for our customers.”

Jack Stout, chief merchandising officer of Petco Health and Wellness Company.

| Provided by Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.

Stout brings more than 20 years of experience in merchandising, planning, category management and logistics in the consumer goods industry. Already familiar with the position, he has been serving as Petco’s interim chief merchandising officer since July of last year. In his role, Stout will continue to lead global merchandise planning and strategy across aspects of the business in his official appointment.

“I am thrilled to be a part of Petco at such a pivotal time for the company as we work to strengthen retail fundamentals and improve our merchandising capabilities,” Stout said. “There is so much opportunity to build on Petco’s strong foundation and I look forward to even deeper partnership with the leadership team as we work to realize our full potential as a best-in-class retailer.”

Reporting directly to Anderson, the three new executives will work closely with Petco’s leadership team to drive continued execution of the company’s objectives for 2025, while also preparing the company for a return to growth. This strengthening of the leadership team follows Petco’s 2024 executive hires of Glenn Murphy as executive chairman, Anderson as CEO, Holly May as chief human resources officer and Joe Venezia as chief revenue officer.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.